Actor Heital Puniwala, who was recently seen in Anurag Kashyap's Kennedy, will soon be seen in the international thriller White, which follows Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's involvement in ending Colombia's 52-year-old civil war.
He has been following the spiritual leader's foundation Art Of Living since 2007 and shared that it has helped him see life from a different perspective. (Heital Puniwala Art of Living experience)

He said, "My mother joined it in 2004. She really liked it and practiced Sudarshan Kriya. She felt so calm and wonderful that she encouraged me to try it, praising the breathing techniques and meditation they teach. At the time, I ignored her, thinking yoga was something you do after 50; I didn't really believe in gurus. However, about 6 to 8 months later, I joined the Art of Living. That's how my journey began in 2007."
Sudarshan Kriya helped Heital Puniwala find calm and life lessons
"The growth I experienced afterward was incredible. I felt so calm and nice after doing Sudarshan Kriya and had many amazing experiences. I realized it was a great opportunity to grow. We always need a guru because while school teachers teach subjects like Math, Biology, and Geography, the Art of Living teaches you how to live life. After joining, I began to understand how to truly live and navigate life," he added. (benefits of meditation and mindfulness)
He revealed that practicing Sudarshan Kriya completely transformed his life. He said, "I became emotionally stable and learned to manage the intense anger and negativity I used to carry. Now, even if I get angry, it passes instantly because of the awareness I've gained."
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"This practice has not only made me emotionally stronger but also improved my professional acting skills. It taught me to be 100% present in every moment, which naturally enhanced my performances," he added. (spiritual journey through Art of Living)

Heital Puniwala uses Sudarshan Kriya to guide others toward peace
Heital believes knowledge is everywhere, but what matters is how one applies it. He said, "Just as one lesson from the Gita can change your life, the Sudarshan Kriya has become my foundation. People now often call me for guidance when they are struggling or feeling depressed, and I'm happy to help them find the same peace through breathing techniques."
"I've learned that the mind can be your worst enemy, but you can skillfully master it by focusing on your breath, a wisdom I credit to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji," he added. (life lessons from meditation practice)
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Sharing an incident when he met the spiritual leader, he said, "In 2007, while doing theater in Surat, I attended a program by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji. I joined the line for his blessing, and when my turn came, I impulsively told him I wanted to be an actor. He simply replied, 'Yes, you are an actor; go ahead.' A teacher later told me this was a significant sign because a guru sees your true path."
"Encouraged, I moved to Mumbai. Soon after, I received a surprise call from Umesh Shukla for a lead role in a play. It was an amazing opportunity that started my journey in Mumbai, and during the rehearsals, I learned about opportunities in ad auditions," he ended.
FAQ
Q1. How did Heital Puniwala get introduced to the Art of Living?
His mother joined in 2004 and encouraged him to try Sudarshan Kriya and meditation, which he began practicing in 2007.
Q2. What is Sudarshan Kriya?
Sudarshan Kriya is a breathing technique taught by the Art of Living that promotes emotional stability, calm, and mental clarity.
Q3. How has practicing Sudarshan Kriya impacted Heital Puniwala's life?
It has helped him manage anger, negativity, and stress, bringing emotional balance and a better perspective on life.
Q4. Why does Heital believe having a guru is important?
He feels that while traditional education teaches subjects, gurus teach how to navigate life effectively and mindfully.
Q5. Since when has Heital been practicing meditation and the Art of Living techniques?
He has been practicing since 2007, experiencing significant personal growth and transformation over the years.
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